Search - Novalima :: Coba Coba (Dig)

From the World Music Guide at About.com

Megan Romer | Ithaca, NY | 01/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coba Coba is the final proof that Cumbancha Records has established themselves as not only one of the finest world music record labels in this country, but one of the finest record labels, period. Five-star record after five-star record... at this point I'm starting to think I might buy mayonnaise if Cumbancha slapped their approval on it.



It's important to mention that I'm not in the business of being overly nice, and I certainly won't claim that this record doesn't have flaws. Flaws, though, are not necessarily a bad thing, and the flaws here are minor and aesthetically appropriate - the musical equivalents of a little street dirt, those occasionally gritty moments that add a touch of honesty and humanity.



It seems that Novalima, well-known in international circles but not necessarily so in the States, are well-poised to challenge conceptions of the modern relevance of "world music." Thick, electric bass lines throb under brisk, hollow hand percussion lines. Soft, jazzy horns glide in and around well-placed synthesizers, and husky male vocals unpredictably coo while an elegant female voice becomes almost thunder-like in a surprising contradiction.



Coba Coba is very "something old, something new," and yet avoids any hint of contrivance. Flowing comfortably from afro-beat to reggae, lingering at jazz and even briefly stopping over in hip-hop, the Afro-Peruvian base is both solid and forgiving enough to anchor any and all dalliances, and bring them home into something new, something exciting.



If this is truly the future of Afro-Latin music, then all is well."

Novalima

Guillermo Martin | London | 01/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazing tunes!! Great value for money. These guys are amazing, the sounds they creat out of the most unusual instruments (cajon, etc.) is out of this world!!!!"

The Tropic of the Andes

Amaranth | Northern California | 03/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Coba Coba" is a spicy,exotic album from Peru's own Nova Lima,a group that blends Afro-Peruvian sounds with techno music. If you're already a fan of the French/Argentine DJ collective Gotan Project, Nova Lima is a great follow-up. "Coba Coba" blends African rhythms with Latin music. David Byrne,the former front man of the Talking Heads, introduced the Afro-Peruvian diva Susana Baca to the world,and there's more with Nova Lima.



"Coba Coba" opens with "Concheperla",and it sounds like traditional Peruvian music, redolent of Macchu Picchu's ruins, but with savory African beats. "Liberta" is a traditional song about Afro-Peruvians' dreams for a black President. In a sense,their dream has come true here in America. "Ruperta/Puede Ser" manages to blend reggae,hip hop,and ancient rhythms. "Africa Lando" is a sad lament about slavery. **SPOILER ALERT**"Coba Guarango" has a deeply rhythmic chant--in fact,it's also the album title. "Mujer ajena" has more of a Cuban sound. "Kumana" is a traditional mocking song,and it closes with a bolero.



"Coba Coba" brings Afro-Peruvian culture into the modern world with a techno twist!"